State government reporter Heather J. Carlson

Military

September 03, 2013

In a statement today, 2nd District Republican Rep. John Kline said it is up to President Obama to make the case to the American people for military action against Syria in the wake of last month's chemical attack.

"The horrific acts by the Bashar Assad regime of using chemical weapons to kill citizens including children is anathema and unacceptable in our country and around the world," Kline said. "While I am disappointed the President put the U.S. in a difficult position by publicly using a 'red line' with Syria, America's credibility is now in question and the world is watching. I am pleased the President is reaching out to Congress, but he must make the case to the American people and provide a clear and concise plan to stop Assad and warn others this type of behavior will not be tolerated."

A story in today's paper includes statements on the Syria situation from three Democrats — 1st District Rep. Tim Walz and Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar.

September 02, 2013

Both Sen. Al Franken and 1st District Rep. Tim Walz have issued statements responding to President Obama's decision to seek congressional approval for military action against Syria for the country's alleged use of chemical weapons on its own citizens.

Walz had joined more than 100 other members of the House calling for the president to seek Congress's OK. He flew to Washington D.C. yesterday to attend a classified briefing about the Obama Administration's evidence that Syria was behind the attack last month that killed more than 1,4000 people. Walz applauded the president's decision to bring the matter before Congress.

“As I’ve said from the beginning, the use of chemical weapons is despicable and there is a moral responsibility to defend the defenseless, but we cannot rush into this decision. I look forward to hearing from southern Minnesotans and debating this issue with my colleagues in Congress to make sure the national security of our nation is paramount," Walz said in a statement.

Franken said in a statement that there must be consequences for Syria's actions.

"There are no good options on Syria. But as I’ve said, the use of chemical weapons to kill over a thousand people and injure many more is a horrendous act, and there have to be consequences for that," Franken said in a statement. "Whatever action the United States takes, it has to be limited action. This can’t be an open-ended commitment, and it definitely should not lead to American boots on the ground. Congress now has an important role to play, and I look forward to participating in a vigorous debate about the use of force and the best interests of our country."

April 15, 2011

In an interview yesterday, 1st District Rep. Tim Walz said he remains hopeful that the U.S.'s military action in Libya may soon come to an end. He said he has heard that a deal to remove Muammar Gaddafi as Libya's leader could come very soon.

In the meantime, he said it is critical that the U.S.'s involvement remain limited.

"This is going to be determined by the Libyan people themselves, and I think our engagement needs to be very narrow, it needs to be very defined and it needs to have a clear out time," he said.

Walz, the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, said he has been attending classified briefings about America's support for the no-fly zone over Libya. He does not support the idea of arming rebels in the country. He said past wars have show that sometimes these rebels can later become your enemies.

"I am very, very wary of arming these rebels, going any further than this. I think our ability to protect civilians, to provide some room in there to negotiate an end to this dictatorship and then to move forward is where it’s at," he said.

December 16, 2010

1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz took to the U.S. House floor yesterday to lend his support for lifting the military's ban on gays serving in the military known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." You can watch video of the speech here.

During his one minute speech he said that "I have no doubt that the brave men and women who serve our country have the professionalism to end this discriminatory policy. I am offended by the idea and the notion that they are not able to handle change in policy."

Walz went on to argue that he believes the ban hurts America's military.

"This discriminatory policy is hurting our military readiness and weakining our nation such as releasing dozens of Arabic linguists simply because they were homosexual. Serving in the military we believe in duty, honor and country and asking these brave people to lie goes against all of our values," he said.

The House voted yesterday 250 to 175 in favor of lifting the ban. The measure now heads to the U.S. Senate but it is unclear whether there will be time in the lame duck session to take it up. Among the Minnesota delegation, those voting in favor of lifting the ban were four Democrats — Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Betty McCollum, Rep. Jim Oberstar and Walz. Voting against lifting the ban were three Republicans — Rep. Michele Bachmann, Rep. John Kline and Rep. Erik Paulsen — and one Democrat — Rep. Collin Peterson.

I put in a request with Kline's office for a statement from him about why he opposed lifting the ban. When I get it, I will post that on the blog.